ionosphere
Quick Summary
The ionosphere is a region of Earth's upper atmosphere, extending from about 80 to 300 km (50 to 185 miles) in altitude. It is characterized by a high abundance of ions and electrons, created when solar ultraviolet radiation removes electrons from atmospheric gases. This electrically conducting region plays a crucial role in reflecting radio signals back to Earth, enabling long-distance radio communication.12
The ionosphere is further divided into sublayers, including the E region (90-120 km) and the F region (150-300 km), where ion density is highest. These layers are influenced by solar activity and the time of day. The ionosphere's properties are also affected by space weather, which refers to conditions in space caused by the Sun that can impact technology on Earth.13
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space weatherSpace weather phenomena…and into Earth’s magnetosphere and ionosphere is variable over a number of timescales. Chief among these timescales is the 11-year solar cycle, defined by the waxing and waning of solar activity as seen in the number of sunspots. Within the solar cycle, solar storms such as flares and coronal mass…
Read More…and into Earth’s magnetosphere and ionosphere is variable over a number of timescales. Chief among these timescales is the 11-year solar cycle, defined by the waxing and waning of solar activity as seen in the number of sunspots. Within the solar cycle, solar storms such as flares and coronal mass…
Read More- space weatherEffects on satellite communications and navigation
…result of perturbations of the ionosphere, which can reflect, refract, or absorb radio waves. This includes radio signals from Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites. Space weather can change the density structure of the ionosphere by creating areas of enhanced density. This modification of the ionosphere makes GPS less accurate and…
Read More…result of perturbations of the ionosphere, which can reflect, refract, or absorb radio waves. This includes radio signals from Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites. Space weather can change the density structure of the ionosphere by creating areas of enhanced density. This modification of the ionosphere makes GPS less accurate and…
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atmosphereThermosphere…are abundant is called the ionosphere. These ions result from the removal of electrons from atmospheric gases by solar ultraviolet radiation. Extending from about 80 to 300 km (about 50 to 185 miles) in altitude, the ionosphere is an electrically conducting region capable of reflecting radio signals back to Earth.
Read More…are abundant is called the ionosphere. These ions result from the removal of electrons from atmospheric gases by solar ultraviolet radiation. Extending from about 80 to 300 km (about 50 to 185 miles) in altitude, the ionosphere is an electrically conducting region capable of reflecting radio signals back to Earth.
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EarthThe atmosphere of Earth…this altitude upward defines the ionosphere. Spectacular visible auroras are generated in this region, particularly along approximately circular zones around the poles, by the interaction of nitrogen and oxygen atoms in the atmosphere with episodic bursts of energetic particles originating from the Sun.
Read More…this altitude upward defines the ionosphere. Spectacular visible auroras are generated in this region, particularly along approximately circular zones around the poles, by the interaction of nitrogen and oxygen atoms in the atmosphere with episodic bursts of energetic particles originating from the Sun.
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- plasmaPlasma formation
In the ionosphere, ionization is accomplished not through heating of the plasma but rather by the flux of energetic photons from the Sun. Far-ultraviolet rays and X rays from the Sun have enough energy to ionize atoms in the Earth’s atmosphere. Some of the energy also goes…
Read MoreIn the ionosphere, ionization is accomplished not through heating of the plasma but rather by the flux of energetic photons from the Sun. Far-ultraviolet rays and X rays from the Sun have enough energy to ionize atoms in the Earth’s atmosphere. Some of the energy also goes…
Read More - plasmaThe ionosphere and upper atmosphere
At altitudes below about 2,000 kilometres, the plasma is referred to as the ionosphere. Thousands of rocket probes have helped chart the vertical structure of this region of the atmosphere, and numerous satellites have provided latitudinal and longitudinal information. The ionosphere…
Read MoreAt altitudes below about 2,000 kilometres, the plasma is referred to as the ionosphere. Thousands of rocket probes have helped chart the vertical structure of this region of the atmosphere, and numerous satellites have provided latitudinal and longitudinal information. The ionosphere…
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geomagnetic fieldThe ionospheric dynamo…system flowing in the planet’s ionosphere. Beginning at about 50 kilometres and extending above 1,000 kilometres with a maximum at 400 kilometres, the ionosphere is formed primarily by the action of sunlight on atmospheric particles. There sunlight strips electrons from neutral atoms and produces a partially ionized gas (plasma). On…
Read More…system flowing in the planet’s ionosphere. Beginning at about 50 kilometres and extending above 1,000 kilometres with a maximum at 400 kilometres, the ionosphere is formed primarily by the action of sunlight on atmospheric particles. There sunlight strips electrons from neutral atoms and produces a partially ionized gas (plasma). On…
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electromagnetic radiationRadio waves…more commonly known as the ionosphere. This region is an approximately 300-km- (190-mile-) thick layer starting about 100 km (60 miles) above Earth’s surface in which the atmosphere is partially ionized by ultraviolet light from the Sun, giving rise to enough electrons and ions to affect radio waves. Because of…
Read More…more commonly known as the ionosphere. This region is an approximately 300-km- (190-mile-) thick layer starting about 100 km (60 miles) above Earth’s surface in which the atmosphere is partially ionized by ultraviolet light from the Sun, giving rise to enough electrons and ions to affect radio waves. Because of…
Read More- radarOver-the-horizon radar
…are refracted (bent) by the ionosphere so that the waves return to the Earth’s surface at long distances beyond the horizon, as shown in the figure. This permits target detection at distances from about 500 to 2,000 nautical miles (900 to 3,700 km). Thus, an HF over-the-horizon (OTH) radar can…
Read More…are refracted (bent) by the ionosphere so that the waves return to the Earth’s surface at long distances beyond the horizon, as shown in the figure. This permits target detection at distances from about 500 to 2,000 nautical miles (900 to 3,700 km). Thus, an HF over-the-horizon (OTH) radar can…
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MarsComposition and surface pressure…supplies gas to the planet’s ionosphere, where densities are low, temperatures are high, and components separate by diffusion according to their masses. Various constituents in the top of the atmosphere are lost to space, which affects the isotopic composition of the remaining gases. For example, because hydrogen is lost preferentially…
Read More…supplies gas to the planet’s ionosphere, where densities are low, temperatures are high, and components separate by diffusion according to their masses. Various constituents in the top of the atmosphere are lost to space, which affects the isotopic composition of the remaining gases. For example, because hydrogen is lost preferentially…
Read More- radio technologyThe ionosphere
…air above the Earth (the ionosphere) reflect or refract (bend) them back to Earth, thus extending the range of a transmitter far beyond line of sight. In 1923 the suggestion was proved to be accurate when pulses of radio energy were transmitted vertically upward and returning pulses were received back…
Read More…air above the Earth (the ionosphere) reflect or refract (bend) them back to Earth, thus extending the range of a transmitter far beyond line of sight. In 1923 the suggestion was proved to be accurate when pulses of radio energy were transmitted vertically upward and returning pulses were received back…
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telecommunications mediaHF…transmissions is reflection off the ionosphere, a series of ionized layers of the atmosphere ranging in altitude from about 50 to 300 km (about 30 to 200 miles) above the Earth. Ionization is caused primarily by radiation from the Sun, so that the layers vary in height and in reflectivity…
Read More…transmissions is reflection off the ionosphere, a series of ionized layers of the atmosphere ranging in altitude from about 50 to 300 km (about 30 to 200 miles) above the Earth. Ionization is caused primarily by radiation from the Sun, so that the layers vary in height and in reflectivity…
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VenusThe atmosphere of Venus…the Venusian atmosphere lies the ionosphere. As its name implies, the ionosphere is composed of ions, or charged particles, produced both by absorption of ultraviolet solar radiation and by the impact of the solar wind—the flow of charged particles streaming outward from the Sun—on the upper atmosphere. The primary ions…
Read More…the Venusian atmosphere lies the ionosphere. As its name implies, the ionosphere is composed of ions, or charged particles, produced both by absorption of ultraviolet solar radiation and by the impact of the solar wind—the flow of charged particles streaming outward from the Sun—on the upper atmosphere. The primary ions…
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Sir Edward Victor Appleton…so-called Appleton layer of the ionosphere, which is a dependable reflector of radio waves and as such is useful in communication. Other ionospheric layers reflect radio waves sporadically, depending upon temperature and time of day.
Read More…so-called Appleton layer of the ionosphere, which is a dependable reflector of radio waves and as such is useful in communication. Other ionospheric layers reflect radio waves sporadically, depending upon temperature and time of day.
Read More- Lloyd Viel Berkner
…height and density, of the ionosphere (ionized layers of the Earth’s atmosphere), leading to a better understanding of radio wave propagation. He later turned his attention to investigating the origin and development of the Earth’s atmosphere. In 1950 the need for data on a worldwide scale led him to propose…
Read More…height and density, of the ionosphere (ionized layers of the Earth’s atmosphere), leading to a better understanding of radio wave propagation. He later turned his attention to investigating the origin and development of the Earth’s atmosphere. In 1950 the need for data on a worldwide scale led him to propose…
Read More - HAARP
…scientific facility for studying the ionosphere, located near Gakona, Alaska. The main instrument is the Ionospheric Research Instrument (IRI), an array of 180 radio antennas spread over an area of 0.13 square kilometer (33 acres).
Read More…scientific facility for studying the ionosphere, located near Gakona, Alaska. The main instrument is the Ionospheric Research Instrument (IRI), an array of 180 radio antennas spread over an area of 0.13 square kilometer (33 acres).
Read More - Oliver Heaviside
…predicted the existence of the ionosphere, an electrically conductive layer in the upper atmosphere that reflects radio waves. In 1870 he became a telegrapher, but increasing deafness forced him to retire in 1874. He then devoted himself to investigations of electricity. In Electrical Papers (1892), he dealt with theoretical aspects…
Read More…predicted the existence of the ionosphere, an electrically conductive layer in the upper atmosphere that reflects radio waves. In 1870 he became a telegrapher, but increasing deafness forced him to retire in 1874. He then devoted himself to investigations of electricity. In Electrical Papers (1892), he dealt with theoretical aspects…
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